214 LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS — LONGIPENNES. 



In Great Britain this Gull is a winter visitor only ; and is a winter resident in the 

 more northern of the Shetland Islands, where it arrives late in the autumn and leaves 

 late in the spring. It is also of occasional occurrence in the winter on the coast of 

 England and of Ireland. A single specimen of this bird was killed in the interior 

 of Scotland, on Loch Lomond. 



In Iceland, according to Faber, this species is present through the year — keeping 

 to the open sea in the winter, and breeding, in the summer, on the rocks of the 

 southern and western coast, in company with Larus marinus — these two species 

 being much alike in nest, eggs, and habits. This Gull attacks smaller birds, and robs 

 their nests of eggs and young ; it feeds also on crabs, shellfish, and the Cydopterus 

 lumpus, or Lump Sucking-fish. It is said to be more numerous than L. marhms. 



In North America this bird is of rare occurrence in winter on any part of the 

 coast, except about the Bay of Passamaquoddy, where, as well as in the Bay of Fundy, 

 it is not uncommon. It is of occasional occurrence as far west as Long Island ; but 

 those seen are nearly all in immature plumage, an adult individual being rarely 

 taken. Mr. Giraud was not aware that a single specimen of this Gull in adult plu- 

 mage had ever been observed on Long Island ; and it is very seldom seen even in its 

 immature dress. 



Dr. Walker mentions having met with it on the coast of Greenland, in the vicinity 

 of the port of Frederikshaab, and afterward in Melville Bay, near Cape York. In 

 May, 1859, while he was in Bellot's Bay, Dr. Walker noticed it evidently moving to 

 the northward. He afterward met with it building its nest on the high cliffs which 

 form the sides of Bellot's Strait. This bird is also mentioned by Professor Reinhardt 

 as being one of the residents of Greenland. 



Hearne, in his account of his journey to the Arctic Sea, notes the occurrence of 

 what is without doubt this species, which he speaks of as the White Gull. He men- 

 tions its visiting Hudson's Bay in great numbers, both on the sea-coast and in the 

 interior ; and thinks its range must extend across the continent. It makes its first 

 appearance about Churchill River about the middle of May, builds its nests on the 

 islands in the lakes and rivers, lays two speckled eggs, and hatches its young in June. 

 The eggs are said to be good eating ; and the same is true of the flesh of those 

 birds found in the interior, notwithstanding the fact that they feed on fish and 

 carrion. This Gull prolongs its stay on Hudson's Bay as late into the fall as the 

 frost will permit of its procuring a livelihood. 



Sir John Richardson states that during the summer this species inhabits Green- 

 land, the Polar Sea, Baffin's Bay, and the adjoining coasts and straits in considerable 

 numbers. It is notoriously greedy and voracious, preying on fish, young birds, and 

 carrion. A specimen killed on Ross's expedition, when struck, disgorged a Little Auk 

 entire, and was found on dissection to have another in its stomach. It is described 

 as being a shy and inactive bird, except when impelled by hunger ; and it has none 

 of the clamorousness of other Gulls. Richardson describes its eggs as being of a pale 

 purplish gray, with scattered spots of umber-brown and subdued lavender-purple. 



Though of rare occurrence, occasional instances are known of the appearance of 

 this Gull in midwinter on Lake Michigan. 



As described by writers who have enjoyed favorable opportunities for studying 

 its peculiarities, the habits of this bird are strongly marked, and differ in many 

 respects from those of most of the genus. Its favorite resorts are the entrances of 

 the more exposed bays, or the open ocean a few miles off the land. There it assidu- 

 ously attends the fishing-boats for the purpose of inching up any offal which may 

 be thrown overboard. This Gull muy without difficulty be taken by a hook and 



